On Sunday against England, the 24-year-old smashed 135 runs off just 54 balls to help India post a mammoth 247/9, for his second T20I century.
Former India coach and noted commentator Ravi Shastri believes Gautam Gambhir can make an immediate impact in his new role as head coach because he’s a “contemporary” mentor and already close to the team.
“Why Surya was made the captain, because he is one of the deserving candidates. He’s been around the group over the last year, we get feedback from the dressing room a lot. (He has a) good cricket brain, and (is) one of the best T20 batters in the world,” Agarkar said.
The T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team landed in Delhi on Thursday morning after winning the World Cup title in Barbados.
Gambhir, when asked about his chances of succeeding Dravid for the top post, chose to remain noncommittal, adding to the mystery surrounding the potential coaching change.
The next ten days of T20I action against a full-strength Proteas side will be an opportunity for India to test a new-look top-order without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and with KL Rahul out with a right groin injury, Rishabh Pant is set to make his international captaincy debut at his home ground.
South Africa arrive in the city on Thursday to begin their T20I series against India in this sweltering heat. But, as their captain Temba Bavuma put it, the conditions have been far too hot for their expectations of Delhi weather.
India are now on 270 points, while the second-placed England have logged 265 points. Pakistam South Africa and Australia are the tied, fourth and fifth-placed teams with 261, 253 and 251 points, respectively.
Ravi Shastri announced his decision to step down at Team India head coach before the commencement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, saying that after giving seven years to the side -- initially as team director from 2014 until 2016, and later as head coach from 2017 until 2021 -- it was time to move on.
Maroof added that through hard work and determination, the Pakistan women's cricket team had established itself as a force to reckon with in the ICC Women's Championship 2017/20 cycle.
